Business leaders yesterday supported President Mnangagwa’s
decision to extend the national Covid-19 lockdown indefinitely but at level two
with periodic reviews fortnightly, saying the policy would save both lives and
the economy.
The national lockdown has helped the country keep the
number of Covid-19 confirmed cases at low levels but the Government has, by
moving up from level four to level two, allowed large swathes of the economy to
reopen under tight conditions that minimise risk.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industry president Mr Henry
Ruzvidzo said industrialists were supportive of the move to avoid worst
situations as witnessed in the United States and Europe.
“Essentially the President said the lockdown will be
reviewed after every two weeks but we are happy that most of the industry is
now running,” he said.
“This cautious approach is something we need to support.
The main challenge that we are facing as industry is to get our workers to work
on time due to the restrictions in the transport sector. This pandemic has to
be handled with caution and we need to support all efforts being undertaken by
Government to contain it.”
Zimbabwe Farmers Union director Mr Paul Zakariya said
remaining at level 2 of the Covid-19 lockdown for an indefinite period ensured
that the country minimised infections.
He said if properly followed, the lockdown measures would
see the nation recording huge successes in the containment of the pandemic.
“However, agriculture and agribusinesses, which rely on
both formal and informal markets for survival, will take a knock for the
foreseeable future. This means that, going forward, it will not be business as
usual,” said Mr Zakariya.
Agricultural business models that ensure that public health
concerns are prioritised will have to be explored. Both inputs and output
markets will need to be re-organised to meet the requirements of what will be
our new normal.
“Our farmers will be required to adapt and adopt new ways
of doing business. Organised farming that will see farmers pooling their
resources to work together in the form of cooperatives, private companies and
other forms, will save the day.”
Zimbabwe Council for Tourism Business President Ms Winnie
Muchanyuka said although the decision was to save lives, there was need for
monitored inter-city travel to be allowed if tourism was to survive.
“We can approach this from two angles. Our revival in the
short term relies on domestic tourism, so we expect to see more movement so
that our players can generate and earn something,” she said.
“Until travel business from source countries returns after
the current travel restrictions, our focus will be on local players. We will
continue to lobby Government to allow travel so there can be domestic tourism
even at a minimal scale to avoid total business collapse in the sector.
“Most of our operators are struggling. They are not operating
save for a few players like ZimSun and Cresta who have a few hotels open. The
rest are closed. We are optimistic about the proposition that private players
can provide quarantine services. A lot of our players are interested and are in
the process of being assessed by authorities. That may save a lot of jobs and
companies.”
Tanganda Tea finance director Mr Henry Nemaire said the
extension of the lockdown was necessary.
“All formal businesses have been allowed to resume
operations. Informal economic players should explore syndicating under one
organised business and using one fiscalised invoicing system.”
Businessman and former Arda chairman Mr Basil Nyabadza said
the country was not yet out of danger and the extension was necessary.
“We are not yet out of the woods and if we look around at
neighbouring countries, they appear to be struggling and it’s important that we
maintain a very vigilant approach to Covid-19,” said Mr Nyabadza.
“However, there is also the economy and I believe that we
must also have to look after the economy because it has long term consequences.
The best way to look after it is to review the way we pay labour across the
board, from managerial to lower jobs. The best way is not to pay hourly rates.
That will ensure productivity and viability. This is important because the
Zimbabwe economy is under illegal sanctions and the best way to fight those
sanctions is to step up productivity.” Herald
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